Technique for providing uninterrupted switched digital video service

ABSTRACT

A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service, to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network, which group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation, under 37 CFR 1.53(b), of co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/775,034 of inventor Matthew C. Smith, and claims the benefit thereof, said application Ser. No. 12/775,034 having been filed on May 6, 2010, and entitled “TECHNIQUE FOR PROVIDING UNINTERRUPTED SWITCHED DIGITAL VIDEO SERVICE.” The complete disclosure of the aforesaid application Ser. No. 12/775,034 is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the electrical, electronic, and computer arts, and more particularly relates to video content networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of digital communications technology, many TV program streams are transmitted in digital formats. For example, Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), and Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) program streams are digitally formatted pursuant to the well known Moving Pictures Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) standard. The MPEG-2 standard specifies, among other things, the methodologies for video and audio data compression allowing for multiple programs, with different video and audio feeds, to be multiplexed in a transport stream traversing a single transmission channel. A digital TV receiver may be used to decode an MPEG-2 encoded transport stream, and extract the desired program therefrom.

The compressed video and audio data are typically carried by continuous elementary streams, respectively, which are broken into access units or packets, resulting in packetized elementary streams (PESs). These packets are identified by headers that contain time stamps for synchronizing, and are used to form MPEG-2 transport streams. For digital broadcasting, multiple programs and their associated PESs are multiplexed into a single transport stream. A transport stream has PES packets further subdivided into short fixed-size data packets, in which multiple programs encoded with different clocks can be carried. A transport stream not only includes a multiplex of audio and video PESs, but also other data such as MPEG-2 program specific information (sometimes referred to as metadata) describing the transport stream. The MPEG-2 metadata may include a program associated table (PAT) that lists every program in the transport stream. Each entry in the PAT points to an individual program map table (PMT) that lists the elementary streams making up each program. Some programs are open, but some programs may be subject to conditional access (encryption), and this information (i.e., whether open or subject to conditional access) is also carried in the MPEG-2 transport stream, typically as metadata.

The aforementioned fixed-size data packets in a transport stream each carry a packet identifier (PID) code. Packets in the same elementary streams all have the same PID, so that a decoder can select the elementary stream(s) it needs and reject the remainder. Packet-continuity counters may be implemented to ensure that every packet that is needed to decode a stream is received.

A video content network, such as a cable television network, may provide many different services; for example, free on demand, movies on demand, subscription video on demand, switched digital video, and the like. In at least some instances, a user begins watching program material by requesting establishment of a session, such as a switched digital video session. In at least some cases, there may be inadequate bandwidth to establish the requested new session and also maintain all existing sessions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Techniques are disclosed for providing uninterrupted switched digital video service.

In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the step of receiving, from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service, a request to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. An additional step includes determining whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request.

In another aspect, a switched digital video control apparatus is provided for use in a video content network offering a switched digital video service and having a service group with both preferred and standard subscribers. The apparatus includes a memory and at least one processor, which is coupled to the memory, and operative to carry out or otherwise facilitate performance of one or more method steps.

In still another aspect, a set-top terminal is provided for use in a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The terminal includes a memory and at least one processor, coupled to the memory, and operative to receive, from a head end of the video content network, a ping message to prompt a user of the terminal to respond to the message to indicate that a current program channel is being actively watched, and, responsive to receiving the ping message, automatically reply to the ping message affirmatively, without requiring any response from the user.

In yet another aspect, a system includes a video content network offering a switched digital video service; and a service group coupled to the video content network and having a plurality of terminals. The service group services both preferred and standard subscribers. Also included is a switched digital video control apparatus, as described above, coupled to the video content network.

As used herein, “facilitating” an action includes performing the action, making the action easier, helping to carry the action out, or causing the action to be performed. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, instructions executing on one processor might facilitate an action carried out by instructions executing on a remote processor, by sending appropriate data or commands to cause or aid the action to be performed.

One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of an article of manufacture including a machine readable medium that contains one or more programs which when executed implement such step(s); that is to say, a computer program product including a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium (or multiple such media) with computer usable program code for performing the method steps indicated. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processor that is coupled to the memory and operative to perform, or facilitate performance of, exemplary method steps. Yet further, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of means for carrying out one or more of the method steps described herein; the means can include (i) hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s), or (iii) a combination of hardware and software modules; any of (i)-(iii) implement the specific techniques set forth herein, and the software modules are stored in a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium (or multiple such media).

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network configuration;

FIG. 1 a is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary HFC cable network head-end configuration;

FIG. 1 b is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary local service node configuration;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a “switched” hybrid fiber coax cable CATV system useful with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates selected carriers for transmitting program materials and control messages in a forward passband of the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a controller used in the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a table used by the controller for dynamically assigning the carriers for transmission of program materials;

FIG. 6 illustrates a data format of a request processed by the controller;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process for processing the request;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process for retiring an unused carrier;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating one exemplary broadcast switched architecture (BSA) network useful with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a set-top terminal;

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a video content network with a session resource manager;

FIG. 12 shows exemplary components of a session resource manager;

FIG. 13 shows additional details of an exemplary session resource manager in its environment;

FIG. 14 shows a session manager to session gateway component;

FIG. 15 shows a session manager to service gateway component;

FIG. 16 shows a first exemplary session allocation;

FIG. 17 shows a second exemplary session allocation;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of exemplary method steps, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system useful in implementing at least a portion of one or more embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of exemplary method steps, according to another aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of exemplary method steps, according to still another aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical content-based network configuration 100. Note that one or more embodiments are particularly pertinent for switched digital networks as discussed below. The various components of the network 100 include (i) one or more data and application origination points 102; (ii) one or more content sources 103, (iii) one or more application distribution servers 104; (iv) one or more video-on-demand (VOD) servers 105, and (v) consumer (or customer) premises equipment (CPE) 106. Also included is a dynamic bandwidth allocation device (DBWAD) 1001 such as a global session resource manager, which is itself a non-limiting example of a session resource manager, as discussed elsewhere herein. The distribution server(s) 104, VOD servers 105, DBWAD 1001, and CPE(s) 106 are connected via a bearer (e.g., hybrid fiber cable (HFC)) network 101. A simple architecture is shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative brevity, although it will be recognized that comparable architectures with multiple origination points, distribution servers, VOD servers, and/or CPE devices (as well as different network topologies) may be utilized consistent with the invention. For example, the head-end architecture of FIG. 1 a (described in greater detail below) may be used.

It should be noted at this point that in addition to a conventional HFC network or a switched digital network to be discussed below, other kinds of video content networks can be employed for network 101 (e.g., fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) or fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC)).

The data/application origination point 102 comprises any medium that allows data and/or applications (such as a VOD-based or “Watch TV” application) to be transferred to a distribution server 104 (for example, over a suitable network, not separately numbered). This can include for example a third party data source, application vendor website, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), external network interface, mass storage device (e.g., Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) system), etc. Such transference may be automatic, initiated upon the occurrence of one or more specified events (such as the receipt of a request packet or acknowledgement (ACK)), performed manually, or accomplished in any number of other modes readily recognized by those of ordinary skill.

The application distribution server 104 comprises a computer system where such applications can enter the network system. Distribution servers per se are well known in the networking arts.

The VOD server 105 comprises a computer system where on-demand content can be received from one or more of the aforementioned data sources 102 and enter the network system. These servers may generate the content locally, or alternatively act as a gateway or intermediary from a distant source.

The CPE 106 includes any equipment in the customers' premises (or other appropriate locations) that can be accessed by a distribution server 104; for example, set-top terminal (STT), digital set-top box (DSTB), set-top box (STB), or simply “box,” and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, one exemplary embodiment of a head-end architecture is described. As shown in FIG. 1 a, the head-end architecture 150 comprises typical head-end components and services including billing module 152, subscriber management system (SMS) and CPE configuration management module 308, cable-modem termination system (CMTS) and out-of-band (OOB) system 156, as well as LAN(s) 158, 160 placing the various components in data communication with one another. It will be appreciated that while a bar or bus LAN topology is illustrated, any number of other arrangements (e.g., ring, star, etc.) may be used consistent with the invention. It will also be appreciated that the head-end configuration depicted in FIG. 1 a is high-level, conceptual architecture and that each multi-service operator or multiple system operator (MSO) may have multiple head-ends deployed using custom architectures.

The architecture 150 of FIG. 1 a further includes a multiplexer/encrypter/modulator (MEM) 162 coupled to the HFC network 101 adapted to “condition” content for transmission over the network. The distribution servers 104 are coupled to the LAN 160, which provides access to the MEM 162 and network 101 via one or more file servers 170. The VOD servers 105 are coupled to the LAN 158, although other architectures may be employed (such as for example where the VOD servers are associated with a core switching device such as an 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet device; or the VOD servers could be coupled to LAN 160). Since information is typically carried across multiple channels, the head-end should be adapted to acquire the information for the carried channels from various sources. Typically, the channels being delivered from the head-end 150 to the CPE 106 (“downstream”) are multiplexed together in the head-end and sent to neighborhood hubs (see FIG. 1 b) via a variety of interposed network components.

Content (e.g., audio, video, etc.) is provided in each downstream (in-band) channel associated with the relevant service group. To communicate with the head-end or intermediary node (e.g., hub server), the CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or DOCSIS® (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) channels (registered mark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc., 400 Centennial Parkway Louisville Colo. 80027, USA) and associated protocols. The OpenCable™ Application Platform (OCAP) 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 (and subsequent) specification (Cable Television laboratories Inc.) provides for exemplary networking protocols both downstream and upstream, although the invention is in no way limited to these approaches. All versions of the DOCSIS and OCAP specifications are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

It will also be recognized that multiple servers (broadcast, VOD, or otherwise) can be used, and disposed at two or more different locations if desired, such as being part of different server “farms”. These multiple servers can be used to feed one service group, or alternatively different service groups. In a simple architecture, a single server is used to feed one or more service groups. In another variant, multiple servers located at the same location are used to feed one or more service groups. In yet another variant, multiple servers disposed at different location are used to feed one or more service groups.

In some instances, material may also be obtained from a satellite feed 1108; such material is demodulated and decrypted in block 1106 and fed to block 162. Conditional access system 157 may be provided for access control purposes. Network management system 1110 may provide appropriate management functions. Note also that signals from MEM 162 and upstream signals from network 101 that have been demodulated and split in block 1112 are fed to CMTS and OOB system 156.

Also included in FIG. 1 a are a global session resource manager (GSRM) 302, a Mystro Application Server 104A, and a business management system 154, all of which are coupled to LAN 158, and discussed further below. GSRM 302 is one specific form of a DBWAD 1001 and is a non-limiting example of a session resource manager.

As shown in FIG. 1 b, the network 101 of FIGS. 1 and 1 a comprises a fiber/coax arrangement wherein the output of the MEM 162 of FIG. 1 a is transferred to the optical domain (such as via an optical transceiver 177 at the head-end 150 or further downstream). The optical domain signals are then distributed to a fiber node 178, which further distributes the signals over a distribution network 180 to a plurality of local servicing nodes 182. This provides an effective 1:N expansion of the network at the local service end.

US Patent Publication 2003-0056217 of Paul D. Brooks, entitled “Technique for Effectively Providing Program Material in a Cable Television System,” the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, describes one exemplary broadcast switched digital architecture useful with one or more embodiments of the present invention, although it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that other approaches and architectures may be substituted. In a cable television system in accordance with the Brooks invention, program materials are made available to subscribers in a neighborhood on an as needed basis. Specifically, when a subscriber at a set-top terminal selects a program channel to watch, the selection request is transmitted to a head end of the system. In response to such a request, a controller in the head end determines whether the material of the selected program channel has been made available to the neighborhood. If it has been made available, the controller identifies to the set-top terminal the carrier which is carrying the requested program material, and to which the set-top terminal tunes to obtain the requested program material. Otherwise, the controller assigns an unused carrier to carry the requested program material, and informs the set-top terminal of the identity of the newly assigned carrier. The controller also retires those carriers assigned for the program channels which are no longer watched by the subscribers in the neighborhood.

Note that reference is made herein, for brevity, to features of the “Brooks invention”—it should be understood that no inference should be drawn that such features are necessarily present in all claimed embodiments of Brooks.

The Brooks invention is directed to a technique for utilizing limited network bandwidth to distribute program materials to subscribers in a community access television (CATV) system. In accordance with the Brooks invention, the CATV system makes available to subscribers selected program channels, as opposed to all of the program channels furnished by the system as in prior art. In the Brooks CATV system, the program channels are provided on an as needed basis, and are selected to serve the subscribers in the same neighborhood requesting those channels.

FIG. 2 illustrates hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable CATV system embodying the principles of the Brooks invention for providing program materials to set-top terminals on the subscriber premises. As shown in FIG. 2, the system includes head end 150, fiber node 178, cable distribution network 180, and service area node 182 which is connected to set-top terminals 106-1 through 106-n in a neighborhood, where n is a predetermined number.

In head end 150, program material processing unit 202 receives program materials from various sources via satellites, terrestrial microwave transmissions, cable, etc. The program materials are processed by unit 202 to form K individual program data streams in a digital format, where K is an integer. Each program data stream contains program material, which requires a transmission channel having a specified frequency band for its distribution. In order to fully appreciate the Brooks invention, the term “transmission channel” used here should not be confused with a “program channel.” A “transmission channel” signifies a designated frequency band through which a program data stream containing program material is transmitted. On the other hand, a “program channel” signifies the source of the program material selected by a subscriber to view. For example, a subscriber may select program channel 2 to view program material provided by CBS, program channel 14 to view program material provided by ESPN; program channel 32 to view program material provided by MTV, etc. In this instance, there are K program channels corresponding to the K program data streams.

In accordance with the Brooks invention, under control of controller 212, switching unit 204 selects and switches a subset of the K program data streams, say, p program data streams, to modulator bank 206, where p≦K. The program data streams in the subset are selected in a manner described below. Each selected program data stream is transmitted through a different transmission channel after it modulates a carrier associated with the transmission channel in a designated forward passband. As is well known, in the United States the designated forward passband for cable TV ranges from 50 MHz to 550 MHz.

FIG. 3 illustrates M carriers, C₁ through C_(M), associated with M transmission channels in the forward passband, respectively, which are pre-selected for use in this instance. Since the forward passband is limited in bandwidth, M in this instance represents the maximum number of carriers or transmission channels that the forward passband can accommodate. As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier frequency of C₁ is denoted CF₁; the carrier frequency of C₂ is denoted CF₂; . . . ; and the carrier frequency of C_(M) is denoted CF_(M). In addition, in accordance with the invention, a control carrier CC having a carrier frequency CCF is assigned to carry control messages by controller 212 to the set-top terminals through a control channel in the forward passband.

In prior art, each program channel is fixedly assigned to one of the M carriers for transmission of its program material. In addition, all of the program channels are simultaneously made available to each set-top terminal in a neighborhood. As a result, the number of program channels that a prior art CATV system can provide cannot exceed M. However, the Brooks invention overcomes the prior art limitations by dynamically assigning carriers to carry program materials of only those program channels selected by the set-top terminals (or subscribers) in a neighborhood. Advantageously, the number of program channels that the inventive CATV system can provide, although not simultaneously, can exceed M. That is, K can be greater than M in this instance.

Thus, in accordance with the Brooks invention, controller 212 communicates to switching unit 204 through link 216, causing unit 204 to switch, to modulator bank 206, the selected p program data streams which contain the program channel materials selected aggregately by the subscribers in the neighborhood. As long as p≦M, which is very likely stemming from the fact that the majority at a given time watch only a few particular favorite program channels, controller 212 manages to assign p carriers to carry the respective data streams. To that end, controller 212 also specifies to unit 204 the selected inputs of modulator bank 206 to which the p data streams are switched.

In this instance, modulator bank 206 includes conventional modulators. Each input to modulator bank 206 is fed to a different modulator for modulating the input onto one of the M carriers. The p data streams are switched by unit 204 to the appropriate inputs of modulator bank 206 to be modulated onto the p assigned carriers, resulting in p data signals representing the modulated carriers, respectively. In addition, controller 212 transmits control messages described below, through link 214, to modulator bank 206 where a modulator modulates the control messages onto the aforementioned control carrier, resulting in a control signal representing the modulated control carrier.

Combiner 208 combines the p data signals and control signal to form a combined signal, which is fed to optical transceiver 210. The latter generates an optical signal representing the combined signal. The optical signal traverses optical fiber 213 to fiber node 178. A transceiver (not shown) in fiber node 178 which performs the inverse function to transceiver 210 converts the optical signal back to the combined signal in electrical form. The combined signal traverses cable distribution network 180 to service area node 182, where the combined signal is multicast to set-top terminals 106-1 through 106-n. A set-top terminal may tune to the control carrier frequency CCF and extract the control signal from the received combined signal. The control signal may contain information identifying the carrier which is assigned to carry the program channel material selected by the set-top terminal. Based on any such information, the set-top terminal tunes to the frequency of the identified carrier and extracts the corresponding data signal from the received combined signal. The selected program channel material is then derived in a well known manner from the extracted data signal for viewing.

Referring to FIG. 4, controller 212 includes processor 4004 of conventional design, which is connected to memory 4006 and interface 4002. In accordance with the Brooks invention, processor 4004 receives, from one or more of set-top terminals 106-1 through 106-n, requests for materials of program channels selected thereby. Such requests are processed by processor 4004 in accordance with routines stored in memory 4006 which are described below. It suffices to know for now that in response to one such request, processor 4004 causes switching unit 204 to switch the program data stream corresponding to the requested program channel to a selected input of modulator bank 206 and assigns an unused carrier for transmitting the data stream if processor 4004 has not done so. In addition, processor 4004 transmits a control message receivable by the requesting set-top terminal, which includes the information identifying the carrier assigned by processor 4004 to carry the requested program channel material. As mentioned before, based on such information, the requesting set-top terminal tunes to the frequency of the identified carrier to obtain the selected program channel material.

To manage the dynamic assignment of carriers for transmitting requested program channel materials to each neighborhood, an assignment table is used in this instance which is stored in memory 4006. FIG. 5 illustrates such an assignment table (denoted 5000), which includes columns 5004, 5006 and 5008. Column 5004 enumerates each program channel X selectable by a subscriber through a set-top terminal, which ranges from 1 to K in this instance. Column 5006 tracks, for each program channel X, the number of subscribers in the neighborhood who have selected that program channel to watch (N_(PCHX)). Column 5008 includes entries identifying the carriers assigned by processor 5004 to carry the respective materials of program channels X. Thus, with assignment table 5000, processor 4004 has knowledge that, for example, referring to row 5011, carrier C₃ (one of the carriers C₁ through C_(M)) is assigned for program channel 2 (X=2) which 12 subscribers (N_(PCHX)=12) have selected to watch. In addition, as indicated in row 5013, no subscriber (N_(PCHX)=0) has selected to watch program channel 1 (X=1). Thus, in accordance with the Brooks invention, no carrier (Null) is assigned for program channel 1. That is, program channel 1 material is currently not transmitted to service area node 182 and thus not currently made available in the neighborhood.

When a subscriber at a set-top terminal selects a different program channel to watch, a request for material of the newly-selected program channel is sent from the set-top terminal to controller 212, as shown at 218. It should be noted at this point that each of set-top terminals 106-1 through 106-n is pre-assigned with an identifier for identifying the set-top terminal. FIG. 6 illustrates the request which includes, inter alia, STID field 6002 containing an identifier identifying the requesting set-top terminal, PCH_(NEW) field 6004 containing the newly-selected program channel number, and PCH_(OLD) field 6006 containing the previously-selected program channel number. Thus, for example, if the subscriber changes the program channel selection from channel 8 to channel 2 (or in other words “deselects” channel 8 in favor of channel 2), the value of PCH_(NEW) field 6004 would be set to “8” and that of PCH_(OLD) field 6006 would be set to “2.” If the subscriber has just turned on the cable TV to watch program channel 9, the value of PCH_(NEW) field 6004 in that instance would be set to “9” and that of PCH_(OLD) field 6006 would be set to “0,” indicating an off state. Conversely, if the subscriber who has been watching program channel 9 chooses to turn off the cable TV, the value of PCH_(NEW) field 6004 would be set to “0” and that of PCH_(OLD) field 6006 would be set to “9.”

Referring back to FIG. 2, the above-described request is generated by the requesting set-top terminal, say, terminal 106-1, which incorporates a cable modem for modulating a specified carrier in a reverse passband with the request data. As is well known, in the United States the reverse passband, which ranges from 5 MHz to 42 MHz, is allocated for transmission of signals from set-top terminals to a head end to realize interactive services, e.g., the inventive cable TV service of Brooks. The modulated signal from terminal 106-1 representing the request data is fed to service area node 182, from where it is forwarded to fiber node 178 through cable distribution network 180. In fiber node 178, the aforementioned optical transceiver (not shown) generates an optical signal representing the modulated signal. The optical signal traverses optical fiber 215 to optical transceiver 210 in head end 150. Optical transceiver 210 converts the optical signal back to the modulated signal in electrical form. The modulated signal is then demodulated by demodulator 230 to recover the original request, which is fed to controller 212 through link 218. In response to the received request, controller 212 invokes a first routine stored in memory 4006.

Instructed by the first routine, processor 4004 reads the received request, as indicated at step 7002 in FIG. 7. At step 7004, processor 4004 determines whether PCH_(NEW) field 6004 in the request has a nonzero value f, 1≦f≦K. If not, i.e., the PCH_(NEW) field value is equal to “0” indicating that the subscriber's cable TV has been turned off, the routine comes to an end. Otherwise, processor 4004 at step 7006 looks up, in assignment table 5000, the value of N_(PCHX) with X=f in this case. At step 7008, processor 4004 determines whether the N_(PCHX) value just looked up equals 0. If N_(PCHX)=0, analogous to the previously described situation with respect to row 5013 of table 5000, no carrier has been assigned to carry the requested program channel material to service area node 182. That is, the requested program material is currently not made available to the neighborhood. In that case, processor 4004 at step 7010 assigns an unused carrier to carry the requested material of program channel X=f. The new carrier may be selected to avoid as much as possible noise and interference with other carriers being used to optimize the cable TV quality. At step 7012, processor 4004 updates assignment table 5000 to include the identity of the carrier assigned for program channel X=f. Processor 4004 at step 7016 communicates to switching unit 204, directing it to switch the program data stream associated with program channel X=f to the proper input of modulator bank 206 such that the program channel material is modulated onto the newly-assigned carrier. At step 7018, processor 4004 generates a control message responsive to the received request, which is to be read by the requesting set-top terminal, terminal 106-1 in this instance. The control message includes, among other information, the STID from the request identifying terminal 106-1 which is the intended recipient of the message, and the identity of the assigned carrier carrying the requested program channel material. The control message is transmitted through the control channel in a manner described before and multicast from service area node 182 to the set-top terminals in the neighborhood. In particular, terminal 106-1 is tuned to the control channel and reads the STID information in the control message, which identifies terminal 106-1 in this instance. Recognizing that it is the intended recipient of the message, terminal 106-1 goes on to read other information in the message including the identity of the assigned carrier carrying its selected program channel material. With the knowledge of the assigned carrier's identity, terminal 106-1 tunes to the frequency of the assigned carrier to receive the selected program channel material.

In any event, the routine proceeds from step 7018 to step 7020 where processor 4004 increments the value of N_(PCHX) with X=f in assignment table 5000 by one, reflecting the fact that an additional subscriber (or set-top terminal) in the neighborhood has selected program channel X=f to view. Referring back to step 7008, if processor 4004 determines that the value of N_(PCHX) with X=f does not equal 0, i.e., at least one set top terminal currently receiving program channel X material carried by a previously assigned carrier, the routine proceeds to step 7014. Processor 4004 at step 7014 looks up, in assignment table 5000, the identity of the carrier previously assigned for program channel X=f. The routine then proceeds to step 7018 described before.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 8. After the first routine is completed, a second routine is preferably invoked to perform a garbage collection function for retiring any carrier carrying program material which is no longer selected by any set-top terminal in the neighborhood. Instructed by this second routine, processor 4004 at step 8004 determines whether PCH_(OLD) field 6006 in the received request has a nonzero value g, 1≦g≦K. If not, i.e., the PCH_(OLD) field value equal to “0” indicating that the subscriber's cable TV has just been turned on, the second routine comes to an end. Otherwise, processor 4004 at step 8006 looks up, in assignment table 5000, the value of N_(PCHX) with X=g in this case. At step 8008, processor 4004 decrements the N_(PCHX) value just looked up by one, reflecting the fact that one fewer subscriber (or set-top terminal) in the neighborhood selected program channel X=g to view. Processor 4004 at step 8010 determines whether the resulting N_(PCHX) value equals 0. If not, the second routine comes to an end. Otherwise, if N_(PCHX)=0, i.e., program channel X=g no longer selected by any subscriber (or set-top terminal) in the neighborhood, the second routine proceeds to step 8012. Processor 4004 at step 8012 searches assignment table 5000 for the identity of the carrier assigned for program channel X=g. Processor 4004 at step 8014 communicates to switching unit 204, causing unit 204 to stop switching the program data stream corresponding to program channel X=g to modulator bank 206, thereby terminating the transmission of the program data stream otherwise carried by the identified carrier. Processor 4004 at step 8016 places the identified carrier in reserve by substituting the carrier identity entry with “Null” in assignment table 5000.

In some instances, the system in FIG. 2 may be used to serve multiple neighborhoods. Furthermore, in some cases, the system of FIG. 2 can readily accommodate what is known in the art as a picture-in-picture (PIP) feature providing simultaneous viewing of multiple program channels. In that case, a set-top terminal supporting the PIP feature requests materials of multiple program channels and simultaneously tunes to the assigned carriers carrying the requested program materials.

In one or more embodiments, in the event that the carriers in the CATV system of FIG. 2 are oversubscribed, i.e., no available carrier can be assigned by controller 212 to carry new program material requested by a set-top terminal in the neighborhood, “blocking” may be implemented such that the requesting set-top terminal is temporarily denied access to the new program material. However, the requesting set-top terminal may be instructed by controller 212 to tune in the meantime to a pre-set channel reserved for the blocking purposes. For example, this pre-set channel may carry commercials, infomercials, coming movie attractions, etc., in addition to a stand-by notice informing the subscriber of the unavailability of the requested program material. Alternatively, controller 212 may transmit a text message including the stand-by notice to the requesting set-top terminal to be shown to the subscriber. In either event, as soon as a carrier becomes available, controller 212 transmits another notice to the requesting set-top terminal to inform the subscriber of the availability of the requested program material, followed by a control message identifying the carrier newly assigned to carry such material. In response to this control message, the set-top terminal tunes to the frequency of the identified carrier to obtain the requested program material.

Moreover, the request of FIG. 6 may automatically be generated by a set-top terminal to deselect a program channel as soon as an event on the program channel such as a movie is over. For example, by setting a time-out clock in the head end or set top terminal to track the play time of the event, the request, with PCH_(NEW)=0, is transmitted as soon as the time-out period corresponding to the length of the event or a fixed time expires. If no other set-top terminals in the same neighborhood tune to the frequency of the carrier assigned for the program channel, the assigned carrier will be retired in accordance with the Brooks invention. Thus, at an event boundary, a program channel may be deselected based on a fixed or variable time-out period.

As is discussed in greater detail below, in one or more embodiments, if a request cannot be granted to a requesting set top terminal, due to inadequate bandwidth, look for one or more sessions that can be shut down to free up bandwidth; in at least some instances, based on a suitable time-out period (e.g., four hours).

The request for deselecting a program channel may also be automatically generated by a set-top terminal in response to a lack of an audience. For example, the set-top terminal may incorporate detection technologies such as motion detectors, acoustic sensors and/or infrared sensors, which are used to detect presence of any viewers in front of the set-top terminal by their movement, voice and/or body heat. If it is determined that no viewer is present, the request for deselecting the program channel is automatically generated by the set-top terminal.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary “switched” network architecture also useful with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A so-called “broadcast switched architecture” or BSA network is illustrated in this exemplary embodiment.

Switching architectures allow improved efficiency of bandwidth use for ordinary digital broadcast programs. Ideally, the subscriber will be unaware of any difference between programs delivered using a switched network and ordinary streaming broadcast delivery.

FIG. 9 shows the implementation details of one exemplary embodiment of this broadcast switched network architecture. Specifically, the head-end 150 contains switched broadcast control and media path functions 190, 192 (the latter including staging processor 195); these elements cooperate to control and feed, respectively, downstream or edge switching devices 194 at the hub site which are used to selectively switch broadcast streams to various service groups. A BSA server 196 is also disposed at the hub site, and implements functions related to switching and bandwidth conservation (in conjunction with a management entity 198 disposed at the head-end). An optical transport ring 197 is utilized to distribute the dense wave-division multiplexed (DWDM) optical signals to each hub in an efficient fashion.

With respect to FIG. 9, note that in some current head ends (e.g., those using technology from Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., USA) there is no explicit GSRM or digital network control system (DNCS); rather, VOD vendors implement required functionality in their own proprietary way. In other head end configurations, such as in those implemented by Time Warner Cable, Inc, New York, N.Y., USA, GSRM functionality, as described herein, can be employed. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments herein are exemplary and non-limiting, and one or more embodiments of the invention can be implemented with a variety of different devices that are used to carry out appropriate functionality. For example, a session resource manager apparatus could be implemented in many different ways, and is not limited to the specific GSRM/SRM examples shown in the figures.

In addition to “broadcast” content (e.g., video programming), the systems of FIGS. 1-9 may also deliver Internet data services using the Internet protocol (IP), although other protocols and transport mechanisms of the type well known in the digital communication art may be substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigm comprises delivering MPEG-based video content, with the video transported to user personal computers (PCs) (or IP-based set-top boxes (STBs)) over DOCSIS channels comprising MPEG (or other video codec such as H.264 or AVC) over IP over MPEG. That is, the higher layer MPEG or other encoded content is encapsulated using an IP protocol, which then utilizes an MPEG packetization of the type well known in the art for delivery over the RF channels. In this fashion, a parallel delivery mode to the normal broadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery of video content both over traditional downstream quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) channels (QAMs) to the tuner of the user's STB or other receiver device for viewing on the television, and also as packetized IP data over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's PC or other IP-enabled device via the user's cable modem.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the IP packets associated with Internet services are received by edge switch 194, and forwarded to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 199. The CMTS examines the packets, and forwards packets intended for the local network to the edge switch 194. Other packets are discarded or routed to another component. Note also that edge switch 194 in block 150 in FIG. 9 can, in the most general case, be the same or different as that shown in the hub site of FIG. 9. Also, in other embodiments, CMTS 199 could be located in a place other than the hub site.

The edge switch 194 forwards the packets received from the CMTS 199 to the QAM modulator 189, which transmits the packets on one or more physical (QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPEs 106. The IP packets are typically transmitted on RF channels that are different that the RF channels used for the broadcast video and audio programming, although this is not a requirement. The CPE 106 are each configured to monitor the particular assigned RF channel (such as via a port or socket ID/address, or other such mechanism) for IP packets intended for the subscriber premises/address that they serve.

It will be appreciated that while some descriptions presented herein are described in the context of Internet services that include multicast and unicast data, there is potential applicability to other types of services that include multicast transmission of data delivered over a network having multiple physical channels or even virtual or logical channels. For example, switching between various physical channels that comprise a virtual channel, can itself be conducted according to the “switched” approach. As a simple illustration, if a first virtual channel is comprised of physical channels (e.g., QAMs) A, B and D, and a second virtual channel is comprised of QAMs C, E and F, a cable modem (CM) or other CPE can be configured to switch between the A/B/D and C/E/F virtual channels as if they were a single QAM.

The configurations shown in FIGS. 1-9 are exemplary in nature and different approaches may be used in other embodiments; such other approaches may have more or less functionality (for example, high speed Internet data services might be omitted in some cases).

FIG. 10 shows an example of a set-top terminal 900, which is one form of CPE 106. A conventional “Watch TV” application (denoted 903 in FIG. 10) is installed in the set-top terminal (denoted 900) to service those program channels (or programs) afforded the traditional broadcast service. Watch TV application 903, residing in memory 910, provides such well known functions as channel navigation control, channel selection in response to a channel change event, etc. A channel change event occurs when a user at set-top terminal 900 issues a command to change from one program channel to another. Such a command may be issued, say, using a remote control (not shown), which signal is receptive by set-top terminal 900. Memory 910 in this instance comprises one or more caches, disks, hard drives, non-volatile random access memories (NVRAMs), dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), and/or Flash ROMs.

For example, in memory 910, NVRAM may be used for storage of a user's settings and set-top terminal configuration settings, such as parental control codes, favorite channel lineups, set-top terminal setups, channel maps, authorization tables, and FDC address assignments. DRAM may be used for most application and operating system storage requirements, such as stacks, heaps, graphics, interactive program guide data, marketing data and usage data, and functions such as MPEG-2 video decompression, DOLBY DIGITAL® (registered mark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, San Francisco, Calif.) Adaptive Transfer Coding 3 (AC-3) audio decoding, and video manipulation. ROM may be used for storage of the operating system. Flash ROM may be used for storage of resident application software, as well as patches of the operating system and application software, which software and/or patches are downloaded to set-top terminal 900 from head-end 150 after set-top terminal 900 has been deployed at the user's premises.

Processing unit 905 orchestrates the operations of set-top terminal 900. It executes instructions stored in memory 910 under the control of the operating system. Service application manager (SAM) 907 forms part of such an operating system of terminal 900. SAM 907 is responsible for, among other things, monitoring channel change events; administering channel, service and other tables in terminal 900; and maintaining a registry of applications in terminal 900. One such application is the aforementioned Watch TV application 903 which is invoked to service a traditional broadcast channel (or program). Another potential application is a so-called “NPVR TV” application 912 which is invoked to service NPVR (network personal video recorder) enabled channels (or programs), and which may be downloaded from head-end 150 to memory 910. Application 912, among other things, emulates the functionality of a personal video recorder by responding to rewind, pause and fast-forward commands initiated by a user, and communicating such commands to head-end 150 through interface 921 to perform the trick mode (i.e., rewind, pause and fast-forward) functions on programs. In addition, for example, application 912 not only allows a user to reserve future broadcast programs for review, but also reserve, play or restart programming content that has broadcast. Interface 921 allows receipt of in-band and out-of-band material from head end 150, as well as sending communications to the head end via a reverse data channel (for example, of the kind(s) discussed above).

One or more embodiments employ session resource management (SRM) functionality to manage video-on-demand and/or switched digital sessions. Preferably, the SRM provides an element that is compatible across a number of head end platforms, such as Motorola, OpenCable, Overlay (SA/Moto) and Scientific-Atlanta (SA). One exemplary embodiment of an SRM is a global session resource manager (GSRM). FIG. 11 shows an exemplary GSRM environment 300, which encompasses an interface to an external policy manager, switched digital video support, and third party entitlement control message generator (ECMG) interfaces. An additional goal is to maintain and reuse currently available interfaces and protocols. Interfaces into an external policy manager may be implemented, for example, via a static XML interface or a dynamic SOAP/XML interface.

GSRM 302 interfaces with conditional access controller 157, which in turn interfaces with digital network control system 308 and TED (transactional encryption device) 310 as well as digital access control system 312 and KLS (key list server) 314. Such interface may employ, for example, open conditional access interface (OCAI) such as SOAP/RPC (remote procedure call). GSRM 302 may also interface with an external policy manager 304, using, for example, extensible markup language (XML(SOAP)) as described in greater detail below. The skilled artisan will appreciate that “SOAP” stands for Simple Object Access Protocol. Also, DNCS 308 may carry out management and CPE configuration analogous to block 308 in FIG. 1 a.

Note that a TED is typically present in a system from Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif., USA, or a system from Scientific Atlanta (now also part of Cisco Systems, Inc.), and manages the cryptographic keys while the KLS performs analogous functions in systems from Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill., USA. These are non-limiting examples of general functionality for managing cryptographic keys. Thus, elements 308, 310 are generally representative of systems from Scientific Atlanta while elements 312, 314 are generally representative of Motorola systems.

Furthermore, the GSRM may interface (for example, using session setup protocol, SSP) with a business management system, such as the Time Warner Cable MYSTRO business management system (BMS) 154. BMS 154 is in turn coupled to billing block 152. The business management system may in turn interface with an application server 104A, such as a Time Warner Cable MYSTRO application server, using, for example, interactive services architecture (ISA). The BMS 154 may also interface with a suitable VOD server 105, such as an ISA VOD system, again, using, for example, ISA.

Yet further, GSRM 302 may interface with a suitable media flow block 322, which may include a video staging system 195, a transcoder and/or transrater 316, a network encryptor 324, and a number of QAMs 318. Communication with block 316 may be, for example, via a suitable transcoder control interface, providing an interface from the GSRM to a transcoder or trans-rater to carry out MPEG manipulation, re-encoding, and the like; communication with block 162 may be, for example, via remote procedure call (RPC) or a suitable network encrypter control interface from GSRM to network encrypter 324; and communication with the QAMs may be, for example, via RPC or edge QAM-C (EQUAM-C). Note that in FIG. 1 a, encryption 324 and modulation 318 are combined in block 162. Element 320 is a router.

MAS 104A may be coupled to DNCS 308 or digital access control system 312 as the case may be.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that a messaging interface from the GSRM to a transcoder or trans-rater device, or to a network encrypter, can be implemented, for example, using RPC (remote procedure call) or RTSP (real time streaming protocol) messaging to outline the characteristics of the desired code, rate, or encryption parameters. A transcoder might, for example, convert from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, in the case where an end client supports MPEG-4. In the case of a trans-rater or statistical multiplexer type of device, the goal is to fit more video programs into a QAM, so the programs are statistically multiplexed together “on-the-fly.”

A suitable switched digital video server 306 may also be provided, including SDV RM (switched digital video resource manager to manage resources assigned to the SDV system) and SDV PM (switched digital video policy manager) functionality (not separately numbered). Communication between GSRM 302 and server 306 may be implemented, for example, using session setup protocol server initiated session (SSP-SIS). Server 306 may communicate with QAMs 318 via RPC or EQAM-C. A set top terminal or box (STB) 106 may communicate with VOD server 105 via, for example, lightweight stream control protocol (LSCP); with SDV server 306 via, for example, channel change protocol (CCP); and with GSRM 302 via, for example, session setup protocol (SSP).

As shown in FIG. 12, the SRM 302 encompasses three major functions, namely, element and network manager 402, session manager 404, and policy manager 490. In the first function, the element manager 402 provides provisioning and configuration information for the edge devices (e.g., edge QAMS 318) and network encrypter 324. The second function 404 handles the assignment of network and RF resources for devices generating session requests. Additionally, the SRM 302 needs access, via a secure interface, to the conditional access (CA) system 157 to provide for content security. The third function, policy manager 490, provides the ability to allocate these resources based on pre-determined and real time policies as related to the type of asset and/or program requesting bandwidth from the network, in addition to predetermined techniques that can be used when such policies do not apply. The internal policy manager 490 receives rule-sets via an XML file and/or supports a SOAP/XML interface for real time policy decisions.

In some instances, the SRM functionality resides physically on the VOD server 105, while in other cases it is split between two entities, the VOD server 105 and a session resource manager of the DNCS 308.

The Element and Network Manager component 402 is responsible for a number of functions. Listed below is an overview of the primary components:

-   -   A provisioning system for edge devices, video servers, switched         digital video servers, network encrypter, network elements,         switches, and the like.     -   Monitoring of various network components to provide SRM engine         ability to make session decisions based on available resources.     -   Managing entitlement messages and conditional access keys, when         applicable.     -   Ability to provide a graphical representation of network         components and related interconnects, including setting         under/over-provisioning of interconnects.     -   Ability to provide a graphical interface 408 for designing and         managing the network topology and interfaces.

The network manager preferably constantly monitors network usage and reports congestion, failures, downed links, and the like. A significant aspect of the network manager is to provide high (for example, 99.99%) uptime of the network for the delivery of video services. In addition, the network manager is preferably able to proactively provide alternate links (when available) to traffic to minimize service interruptions and stream/session failures.

In a preferred embodiment, to provide the operator with suitable monitoring capabilities, the network manager provides the ability to show the current network utilization of any device and interconnect links. The information is preferably provided in a graphical manner to the operator and highlights any troublesome or failed devices or connections (for example, using the graphical user interface (GUI) 408. A layer representing the various communications protocols is shown at 410.

As shown in FIG. 13, resource manager 406 of FIG. 12 preferably includes network resource manager (NRM) 502, core resource manager (CRM) 504, and edge resource manager (ERM) 506. The NRM 502 is responsible for receiving resource requests from the session managers (VOD 520, SDV 522, Shell 524, and so on). After the NRM receives the request, it will then look at what is needed to service the request (encryption, bandwidth, and the like) and then make the requests from the core and edge resource managers 504, 506. The NRM 502 needs to be aware of all of the network (core and edge) resources and their state, so it can make session resource decisions. For instance, if an edge device does not support encryption and the session needs to be encrypted, then the NRM must use the appropriate core encryption device to encrypt the session. Functionally, the NRM, CRM and ERM may be bundled as one process and/or component, or as separate processes and/or components. Note that RTSP stands for real-time streaming protocol. The network monitoring functionality is shown at 526.

With regard to policy manager 490, in one or more embodiments, with business rules manager enabled, session allocation and most network resources can be assigned based on a pre-defined set of business rules. For example, a high-definition (HD) VOD session may be given preference over a free on-demand session. While this is one example, the system is preferably modular, extensible and configurable to allow operators to set the parameters of the business rules engine.

It is also preferred that an operator can determine rules and parameters for the loading of network elements and connections. Instead of purely looking at business rules, new techniques and static configurations may be used for allocating resources on a per-stream and/or per-session or product basis. Some versions of the policy manager (PM) 490 inside the GSRM may allow for XML import of static policy rule sets. Preferably, the GSRM provides a GUI 408 for setting the policies and modifying them. The PM 490 may also support a dynamic policy interface via SOAP/XML to an external policy manager system 304.

A significant function of the session manager (SM) 404 is to provide the mechanism for session requests to receive the proper conduit for the delivery of video. The primary responsibility of the SM is for handling DSM-CC session requests from a VOD client residing on a client device (e.g. STB, and the like). Each time a session is created, the SM must communicate with policy manager 490 and resource manager 406 to determine the best route for the session to be streamed and also determine if, where, and how the session will be set up based on the system policies. Additionally, the GSRM will provide the application server 104 with the appropriate information to determine the type of stream to be created (e.g. MPEG-4 Advanced Video Codec (AVC)) and conditional access method. Non-limiting examples of conditional access methods include the Cisco PowerKEY® conditional access system (registered mark of Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif., USA) for a set-top box or the Motorola MediaCipher™ system (mark of Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill., USA).

The session manager also works in a split model with SDV manager 522 to receive session requests (pre-provisioned/shell or exclusive/provision) for allocating network resources for this request. It is the responsibility of the GSRM to provide a shell session manager to track and manage shell session requests from an external session manager. The shell session manager should maintain a list of granted shell sessions, even through a reboot, power outage, etc. Additionally, the shell session manager should provide reconciliation tools for the external session manager (e.g. SDV server 306) and query tools for status checking with QAMs.

As seen in FIG. 14, in some instances, a session gateway process 1602 resides on the BMS 154 and serves as the entry point for session messaging from DSM-CC to ISA. The GSRM 302 forwards all VOD session communication along to the session gateway and the BMS in turn forwards it to the service gateway 1604. FIG. 14 outlines an exemplary interface structure of the session gateway process residing in the BMS.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 15. In some instances, the GSRM and ISA VOD infrastructure may gain certain efficiencies in session setup speed and reliability by moving the session gateway process 1602 onto the GSRM, as shown at 1702 in FIG. 15. The GSRM would then communicate directly to the service gateway 1604 on the ISA bus. Inasmuch as part of the client session request is a descriptor for the service gateway, the GSRM would use this descriptor to pass the appropriate session request information to the referenced service gateway.

The ISA bus is primarily directed towards using Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) for messaging the ISA interfaces. Direct communication of the GSRM to the service gateway would require the GSRM to implement the appropriate ISA and CORBA interfaces. Other alternatives to the CORBA interface include SOAP/XML.

It is preferred that a variety of different interfaces be supported by GSRM and the related components and processes, so as to permit interface with hardware and software from many manufacturers, such as Motorola, Scientific-Atlanta and Overlay (Moto/SA) systems. The aforementioned SSP reflects an implementation of the ISO/IEC 13818 MPEG-2 DSMCC specification.

The SRM 302 manages a pool of HFC and network resources across many edge devices (e.g., edge QAMS 318) and reaching multiple service groups. Note that core devices may include, for example, network encrypters, transcoders, statistical multiplexers, and the like. For the setup of a particular session, the SRM allocates resources from the aforementioned pool. The qualified resources are determined by the service group specified by the STB 106. A mechanism that indicates that an edge device has been removed from service, and thereby its resources must be removed from the allocation pool, is provided in one or more embodiments. The element manager 402 configures the edge device with static configuration information such as modulation mode, transport ID (frequency), as well as provisioning the MPEG-2 multi-program transport stream. This information must be communicated to the SRM so that is can be transmitted to the STB along with session specific information during session set-up.

Service applications and clients communicate to the SRM using the session setup protocol, an implementation of DSM-CC. Certain parameters such as retransmission rate for the messages are not defined within the specification. These must be defined or left as configurable parameters for the SRM. In some instances, these messages are actually passed through the session gateway to provide a distributed object interface for the sessions.

In SSP, the client 106 sends a client session request to the GSRM 302 to begin the session establishment. This request contains information for identifying the service group as well as information pertinent to the server application. The GSRM verifies the message integrity and passes it along to the server with which the session is desired (e.g., VOD server 105, BMS 152, 154, application server 104, SDV server 306). The server makes a server add resource request to the SRM, including the amount of downstream bandwidth, MPEG Program and server conditional access. Also included is the Ethernet descriptor if the application desires to indicate a preference. In another aspect, the “server add resource” request may include only a source parameter, allowing the GSRM 302 to respond with the appropriate resources.

The SM will determine resource availability after consulting with the resource manager 406 and policy manager 490. If the resources are available, the GSRM 302 will allocate the appropriate resources and signal an indication of success back to the server. If the system requires encryption, the GSRM 404 will send a suitable request for same to the DNCS CA Manager (CAM) 157. If the requested resources are available, the CAM will reply with a confirmation. The GSRM 302 then will send the appropriate CA credentials to the client and encryption device.

At this point, the server provides a response in which the IP address of the service entry point is specified. In case of failure, the GSRM adds the resources back to the pool. The GSRM uses the HFC resources allocated from the pool to construct a confirmation including modulation mode, transport ID, bandwidth, client conditional access and service entry IP address. The SRM handles a client release request message to allow the client to abort in progress session setups. Once the session has been created, the application server 104, SDV server 306, and/or VOD System 105 will create the appropriate stream for the client.

The GSRM's role as the “global” resource manager places it in the position to manage, monitor and control the network (incl. HFC) resources for sessions. To provide a robust QAM sharing ability, the GSRM must be the central arbiter between VOD and SDV sessions. SDV Server 306 will reside external to the GSRM server and will utilize the SSP-SIS extensions to request session bandwidth. The SDV server may request this bandwidth using one of a few methods:

-   -   Shell session (pre-provision)     -   Exclusive session (shell or RM provisioned)     -   Combination of shell and exclusive

The GSRM is preferably agile enough to handle all these modes simultaneously from an external SDV system 306.

Since Network Resources become more valuable and scarce with each session request from clients and servers, the GSRM preferably provides a method for arbitrating these requests. The GSRM sets session thresholds based on product type for VOD (e.g., free on demand (FOD), movies on demand (MOD), subscription video on demand (SVOD), etc.) and switched digital video (SDV). The MSO can define the name of the product and amount of allowable sessions per service group. In addition, the system provides a way to proactively request session resources back from a client and/or SDV manager. A ceiling can be prescribed by product and/or service and when the ceiling is exceeded requests and/or teardowns could be done on the least preferable sessions (for instance, FOD). The described functionality provides a level of policy control on the sessions being allocated by the GSRM. The GSRM preferably provides the ability to easily support an external policy manager 304 via a SOAP/XML interface that provides extended capabilities.

The Session Resource Manager functionality may reside on a single component such as a VOD server or may be spread across multiple components. In one or more embodiments, the Session Resource Manager (SRM) is the central mechanism for aligning head end resources to establish a peer-to-peer connection between the video server and the end user's set-top box (STB). A sub-component of the SRM is the actual bandwidth allocation technique. With the addition of High Definition Video-On-Demand to the current offering of Standard Definition Video-On-Demand, appropriate techniques should be employed to support the commingling of High Definition Video-On-Demand (HDVOD) and Standard Definition Video-On-Demand (SDVOD) content and the establishment of Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees between the two different services.

The narrowcast bandwidth of the VOD service group is arguably the most expensive bandwidth within the cable system. Video server streams, transport, switching fabric, QAMs, RF-combining and distribution all contribute to this cost, which is distributed over a relatively small subset of subscribers. Additionally, this narrowcast bandwidth is re-created over and over again to provide service to all subscribers. Regardless of the infrastructure or of the protocol or which component is actually performing the allocation (Business Management System (BMS) 154; Digital Network Control System (DNCS) 308 or VOD Server 105) it is preferred, for operational predictability, that any or all of the components optimize and allocate the bandwidth in the same manner.

When performing traffic model analysis, significant variables that contribute to the performance of the system are the probability of the arrival of the session setup request and the probability of the session hold-time. These variables contribute to the loading factor with respect to a blocking factor, which ultimately determines the number of resources required to serve a given population of users.

Historically, when working with a single encode rate the system-blocking factor was based on the VOD Service Group. With the commingling of different encode rates, a new blocking factor is introduced into the system. This is the QAM blocking factor, and it is based on the probability of having enough bandwidth to support an HD session within a given QAM. While there may be enough bandwidth within the VOD Service Group to support an HD session, if it is not all available on a single QAM channel, the HD session is blocked and the bandwidth is considered “stranded” with regard to its ability to support an HD session. This occurs when the bandwidth consumption on a given QAM exceeds the max rate of the QAM minus the HD rate or, for example, 37.5 Mbps-15 Mbps equaling 22.5 Mbps.

Additionally, the probability of whether the next session request to arrive is either a SD or HD session factors into the allocation technique. This probability is based on multiple factors including HD STB penetration rates, buy rates, demographics and content availability. The hold-time of a session will also be impacted based on the length of HD content offered.

The allocation models presented herein represent a view of the allocation of sessions by ignoring the hold-time of sessions. Presenting this material without representing the departure of session does not invalidate the allocation technique as session hold-time, and thus session departure, has been factored into the allocation models. The reason that it does not invalidate the allocation technique is that each allocation decision is made at the time of session setup with the most current snapshot of bandwidth allocations across all QAMs within the service group.

While the examples are centered around SD content encoded at 3.75 Mbps and HD content at 15 Mbps the allocation technique can easily support multiple SD and multiple HD encode rates by tuning the various parameters. Additionally, service groups with greater than four RF channels are easily supported without any changes. Non-limiting assumptions for the examples include:

-   -   1. Each VOD Service Group includes four 6 MHz RF channels         running QAM256.     -   2. The Standard Definition (SD) rate is 3.75 Mbps. The High         Definition (HD) rate is 15 Mbps or four times the SD rate. Thus,         the bandwidth requirement for HD is four times that of SD.     -   3. Every QAM256 channel has the capacity or payload to transport         37.5 Mbps of MPEG-2 video out of a total capacity of 38.8 Mbps.         The additional QAM bandwidth is reserved for overhead for         encryption, sessions, etc.     -   4. Although the specification uses sessions as a simplified unit         of measure for bandwidth, all decisions are really based on         bandwidth and not the number of sessions of a particular rate         (of course, other approaches can be used in other instances)     -   5. The bandwidth utilization and allocation within a QAM does         not experience fragmentation as occurs within RAM memory stacks.         Thus, there is not the problem of seeking a “largest free block”         as all the remainder bandwidth is available for allocation.

Several new variables are introduced in order to provide control of how bandwidth is allocated per service group. They are the VType(2)_Session_Limit and the VType(1)_Session_Limit. Control and flexibility can be attained when these two variables are used in conjunction with an optimized allocation technique.

Configuring the system with hard limits and not over-subscribing the system will reserve bandwidth and guarantee service for each individual service. Configuring the system in an oversubscription model (defining the sum of both variables to a value greater than the total capacity) allows for a floating pool of resources that will be allocated as requests arrive. Oversubscription has the advantage that the bandwidth is not stranded through the reservation process, if there are no requests for that service, while at the same time providing QoS guarantees. The following examples illustrate this.

Example 1 VType(2)_Session_Limit=32 and VType(1)_Session_Limit=2

The hard limits reserve the bandwidth and guarantee service for both SDVOD and HDVOD—in this case 32 SD sessions and 2 HD sessions. Even if there are no HD sessions and the 33rd SD session request arrives, it will be denied.

Example 2 VType(2)_Session_Limit=40 and VType(1)_Session_Limit=8

In this totally over-subscribed example setting the variables to their theoretical maximum values allows the system to operate freely without any controls, first come first served.

Example 3 VType(2)_Session_Limit=40 and VType(1)_Session_Limit=2

This example allows the possibility of no more than two HD sessions, but does not guarantee them while allowing up to 40 SD sessions.

Example 4 VType(2)_Session_Limit=32 and VType(1)_Session_Limit=8

This example allows the possibility of 32 SD sessions and reserves bandwidth for two HD sessions while supporting the possibility of eight HD sessions.

The allocation technique is preferably optimized to:

-   -   Support configurability for a “Least Loaded” and a “Most Loaded”         session allocation model     -   Compromise between load balancing across QAMs and HD session         support     -   Enable lowest impact on active session in the event of failures     -   Increase the probability of having capacity for an HD session     -   Establish a mechanism to manage a QoS of SD and HD sessions         within a VOD Service Group     -   Implement business rules guaranteeing service levels for both SD         and HD sessions     -   Support multiple SD and multiple HD encode rates     -   Support varying number of channels per service group     -   Allow dynamic tuning of network utilization

To maintain parity among implementations of the technique, the following variables types are employed.

-   -   VType(n)_Threshold: The variable represents the upper bandwidth         threshold to switch between the least loaded model to the most         loaded model.     -   VType(n)_Session_Limit: The variable represents the maximum         number of simultaneous VType sessions within a VOD Service         Group.     -   VType(n)_Rate: The rate of the VType CODEC.     -   VType(n)_Session_Count: The variable refers to the number of         current VType Sessions.     -   VType(n): Defines the CODEC type as one of the following         HD-MPEG-2 @ 15 Mbps, SD-MPEG-2 @ 3.75 Mbps, HD-H.264 @ 7.5 Mbps,         SD-H.264 @ 1.875 Mbps (the H.264 rates are only listed as an         example)     -   VType(1): HD-MPEG-2 @ 15 Mbps     -   VType(2): SD-MPEG-2 @ 3.75 Mbps     -   VType(3): HD-H.264 @ 7.5 Mbps     -   VType(4): SD-H.264 @ 1.875 Mbps     -   . . . .     -   Vtype(n): CODEC @ Mbps

An initial technique only accounts for MPEG-2 CODEC streams, it being understood that other CODEC and bit-rates can be defined in other versions. In some instances, the VType(1)_Threshold may be set to max bandwidth in a QAM minus the HD encode rate (e.g. 37.5−15=22.5). Once the bandwidth utilization within a QAM for a VOD Service Group reaches this threshold, the allocation technique will start stacking sessions on the least loaded QAM over the VType(1)_Threshold value.

By manipulating the VType(1)_Threshold value, the system's performance can be tuned based on the contention found in the system. By setting the VType(1)_Threshold to 37.5 Mbps (the max QAM bandwidth), the technique will allocate in a “least loaded” technique.

Since HD sessions require four times the amount of bandwidth when compared to SD sessions, there needs to be a way of limiting the number of HD sessions so that they cannot use all the bandwidth within a service group, which can result in denial of service. Limiting the number of HD sessions allows for the theoretical reservation of enough bandwidth to support SD VOD sessions. Conversely, limiting the number of SD allows for the theoretical reservation of enough bandwidth to support HD VOD sessions.

Reference should now be had to FIG. 16. Once the VType(1)_Threshold is reached across any QAM within a service group, the technique should start stacking sessions on the QAM channel that has passed VType(1)_Threshold. This method of allocating sessions will increase the probability of having the capacity to support an HD stream. This will allow a mix of 36 SD sessions and one HD session as shown in the figure.

In essence, the session requests that are provisioned below the VType(1)_Threshold are allocated across the QAMs within a VOD Service Group in a “least loaded” model and session requests that are allocated above the VType(1)_Threshold are allocated in a “most loaded” model. The following are exemplary steps to allocate bandwidth:

-   -   1. Determine if the session setup request is either a         VType(1)_Rate or VType(2)_Rate     -   2. Compare the VType(2)_Session_Limit or the         VType(1)_Session_Limit to the new request type and then deny the         session setup request if it equals the session limit type (QoS         test) else     -   3. Check the bandwidth utilization across all the QAMs within a         VOD Service Group and determine the lowest bandwidth utilization     -   4. If the lowest bandwidth utilization is below the HD_Threshold         value on any QAM, then allocate the bandwidth on the least         loaded QAM that has the requested capacity available (if the         first QAM does not have the capacity try the         next—QAM1→QAM2→QAM3→QAM4→ . . . QAM#n) else     -   5. Allocate the bandwidth on the most loaded QAM above the         VType(1)_Threshold value QAM that has the requested capacity         available (if the first QAM does not have the capacity try the         next QAM—QAM1→QAM2→QAM3→QAM4→ . . . QAM#n)

By allocating sessions in the manner described above, the session allocation would, in one non-limiting example, appear as in FIG. 17. In this example:

-   -   Session 1 through 24 are below the VType(1)_Threshold and are         allocated in a “least loaded” model     -   25th SD session request is above the VType(1)_Threshold and is         allocated on the first most loaded QAM channel. In this example,         it would be on QAM1.     -   26th HD session request is above the VType(1)_Threshold and is         allocated on the first QAM with enough available bandwidth to         support the HD session. In this example, it would be on QAM2.     -   27th and 28th SD session requests are above the         VType(1)_Threshold and are allocated on the first most loaded         QAM channel. In this example, it would be on QAM1.     -   29th HD session request is above the VType(1)_Threshold and is         allocated on the first QAM with enough available bandwidth to         support the HD session. In this example, it would be on QAM3.     -   30th SD session request is above the VType(1)_Threshold and is         allocated on the first most loaded QAM channel. In this example,         it would be on QAM1.     -   31st, 32nd, 33rd and 34th SD session requests are above the         VType(1)_Threshold and are allocated on the first most loaded         QAM channel. In this example, it would be on QAM4.

In some instances, subscribers to a video content network may include commercial subscribers, wherein television programs are publicly displayed for the enjoyment of patrons. Non-limiting examples of such commercial subscribers include restaurants, bars, and the like. In some instances, these commercial subscribers may share service groups with residential customers. If the service group becomes full (i.e., uses all available bandwidth), bandwidth is typically taken away from users who have been watching a particular channel for a predetermined time (typically a long time such as 4 hours) and it is not clear if they are really continuing to watch the channel. For example, suppose user “A” requests establishment of a switched digital video session but there is inadequate bandwidth to establish the session without tearing down an existing session. To determine what session to tear down, for fairness, as noted, a determination may be made if one or more subscribers have putatively been watching the same channel for a very long time, since this may be evidence that no one is actually watching the channel. In some instances, such subscribers may be “pinged” on a downstream data channel, for example, and prompted to respond (for example, with a keystroke or the like) that they are indeed watching the program. If no response is received, the inactive session may be torn down to free up bandwidth (e.g., switched digital video bandwidth) for the newly requested session (e.g., a switched digital video session).

It may not be appropriate to require a response to such a query from a commercial subscriber such as a restaurant, bar, or the like. In venues typical for commercial subscribers, a set-top box may remained tuned to the same channel for long periods of time for public viewing (for example, a bar or restaurant that caters to sports fans may leave the set top terminal continuously tuned to a sports channel). The television connected to the set top terminal may be primarily viewed by patrons rather than employees of the restaurant, bar, or the like, and the patrons may not have access to a remote control or the like in order to answer the “ping.”

In one or more embodiments, a service code is placed in the billing database 152. This code instructs the set top terminal 106 in the bar, restaurant, or the like, to always respond in the background (to the ping) with an affirmative response, in effect indicating “Yes, I am indeed watching this,” so that program feed for the desired program channel is not taken away from commercial customers; note that in addition to not usually being in a position to respond to a “ping,” commercial customers typically pay considerably higher rates since televisions in their premises are typically watched by multiple customers. In one or more embodiments, software on the set top terminal 106 provides the affirmative response to the “ping.” This software may be loaded on the set-top terminal when the terminal is first configured and then a flag may be set to cause the software to activate and provide the affirmative response, or the software could be downloaded (or pre-existing software activated with a flag) during initial provisioning or periodic re-provisioning (updating of the software stack on the set top terminal 106). The software on the set top terminal 106 which responds to the “ping” may be a segment or module within other software on the set top terminal 106, such as, for example, that described with respect to FIG. 10. The flag may be set, for example, based on a signal to the set-top terminal from a device such as controller 212, DBWAD 1001 such as a session resource manager (e.g., GSRM 302), or the like.

The skilled artisan will be familiar with current software provisioning and updating techniques, and, given the teachings herein, will be able to modify same to implement one or more embodiments of the invention. In some instances, during initial provisioning or periodic re-provisioning (updating of the software stack on the set top terminal 106), reference will be had to the billing database which will result in sending the software for automatically responding to the ping (or flag needed to activate existing software) to commercial (or other designated) set-top terminals. Furthermore, terminals could be treated differently based on what program channel they are watching—they might be programmed to respond to pings automatically for some program channels but not others.

Non-limiting examples of potentially useful provisioning techniques are set forth in co-assigned US Patent Publication 2008-0134165 of Anderson and Straub, entitled “Methods and apparatus for software provisioning of a network device,” the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes; co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/573,526 of Albert Straub, filed Oct. 5, 2009, and entitled “Techniques for Upgrading Software in a Video Content Network,” the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes; and co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,357 of Albert Straub, filed Aug. 20, 2009, and entitled “User Selection of Software Components in a Television Set-Top Box,” the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, a device such as controller 212, DBWAD 1001 such as a session resource manager (e.g., GSRM 302), or the like “pings” set-top terminals that have been watching the same program channel for a pre-determined period of time. This can be done, for example, by sending a message which “pops up” on the screen of the television associated with the given set-top terminal. In order to direct the “ping” just to those set-top terminals that have been tuned to a given channel for a given period of time, the controller 212, DBWAD 1001 such as a session resource manager (e.g., GSRM 302), or the like may direct the “pings” based on a suitable address for the set-top terminals of interest (say, using their IP addresses to direct packet(s) with the ping(s)).

Loss of service to commercial customers, as just described, may result in complaints and//or customer dissatisfaction. In current systems, no differentiation is made between commercial and non-commercial subscribers with respect to “pinging” candidates to have their sessions potentially torn down.

As noted, in one or more embodiments, a code is added to billing database 152, to indicate that a particular subscriber is a commercial customer. The code indicates, in effect, “Never tear down a stream that is being watched by this commercial customer—always give him or her the bandwidth he or she needs.” This is accomplished, in one or more embodiments, by having the set top terminal 106 in the commercial user's premises always respond “Yes” during the bandwidth reclamation process. In one or more embodiments, the process is not visible to the business class customer.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, a request is received to establish a switched digital video session, but adequate bandwidth is not available in the service group in order to grant the request without tearing down at least one existing session. Currently, one way to decide what session(s) to tear down is to “ping” premises where the same channel has been viewed for a long time and determine whether viewing of the particular program channel is still taking place. While this approach may be appropriate for residential customers, it may not be appropriate for commercial customers such as restaurants and bars where a number of patrons may be watching the same channel for extended periods of time. One or more embodiments differentiate such commercial customers. One way to carry this out is to program the commercial premises' set top box 106 such that when it receives the “ping,” it automatically replies so that no person needs to manually press a key.

One or more embodiments advantageously decrease the costs associated with erroneous service calls and/or equipment erroneously returned (wherein a subscriber assumes that there is an equipment error when a session is torn down due to failure to respond to a ping).

Recapitulation

Initially, it should be noted that an example is presented herein where commercial subscribers are exempted from teardown and residential subscribers are not. However, this is a non-limiting example, and in general, some subscribers may be designated as “preferred” and exempt from teardown and others may be treated as “regular” customers who are subject to teardown if inactive—these distinctions can, but need not, be made on the basis of commercial and residential status. Reference should now be had to flow chart 1800 of FIG. 18, which begins in step 1802. Given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, in general terms, an exemplary method, according to an aspect of the invention, includes the step 1806 of receiving, from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service, a request to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. The request could be received from a set top terminal 106 at a controller 212, DBWAD 1001 such as a session resource manager (e.g., GSRM 302), or the like; for example, over a suitable upstream data channel. An additional step 1808 includes determining whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. This step could be carried out by elements 212, 1001, 302, or the like. If adequate bandwidth is available, as per the “YES” branch, it is possible to proceed directly to step 1812, to be discussed below.

However, responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, as per the “NO” branch, proceed to step 1810 and tear down at least one of the existing sessions. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. In step 1812, establish the new switched digital video session in accordance with the request. Processing continues at block 1814.

Optional step 1804 includes determining which of the subscribers are the preferred subscribers to be exempted from the teardown (in some instances, this information may be predetermined and thus not part of the method per se). This step can be carried out, for example, by accessing a computerized list, a non-limiting example of which is a database of billing information 152. The computerized list indicates the preferred status of the preferred subscribers.

Step 1810 can be carried out in a variety of ways. For example, consider flow chart 2000 of FIG. 20. In step 2004, responsive to the determination indicating that the adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, as per the “NO” branch of block 1808, send a ping signal to selected ones of the subscribers within the service group who have not changed channels for a predetermined time (putative inactive terminals). The ping signal can be sent, for example, by elements 212, 1001, 302, or the like, over a suitable forward data channel (whether in or out of band). The set top terminals 106 of the preferred subscribers can be caused to automatically respond to the ping signal, as in step 2006. As per step 2008, a manual response to the ping signal can be required from set top terminals of those subscribers of the selected ones of the subscribers within the service group who have not changed channels for a predetermined time who are standard subscribers (for example, requiring a remote control key to be pressed). As per step 2010, the at least one of the existing sessions which is torn down is with a set top terminal of one of those subscribers of the selected ones of the subscribers within the service group who has not changed channels for the predetermined time, is a standard subscriber, and fails to manually respond to the ping signal.

In some instances, as per step 2002, to cause the set top terminals of the preferred subscribers to automatically respond to the ping signal, load a software routine onto the set top terminals of the preferred subscribers during a provisioning process (either initial provisioning or periodic software updating), in response to accessing the computerized list, such as the database of billing information 152 (such database may be accessed during the provisioning process to determine the appropriate software stack for a given set top terminal). The software routine includes computer readable program code which causes the set top terminals of the preferred subscribers to automatically respond to the ping signal. The routine may be provided to the preferred set top terminals during the aforementioned provisioning process (initial provisioning or periodic update); for example, from application servers 104 or 104A.

In other instances, also mentioned in step 2002, the software routine is already present and is simply activated during a provisioning process (either initial provisioning or periodic software updating); for example, by sending a flag to the set-top terminal, in response to accessing the computerized list. Again, the software routine includes computer readable program code which causes the set top terminals of the preferred subscribers to automatically respond to the ping signal upon activation by the flag. The software routine could be present on the terminals of the standard subscribers but inactive due to those terminals not receiving the activation flag.

In other cases (consider flow chart 2100 of FIG. 21), responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, as in step 2102, send the ping signal only to selected ones of the subscribers within the service group who have not changed channels for a predetermined time and who are not preferred subscribers. In this approach, require a manual response to the ping signal from set top terminals of the selected ones of the subscribers (i.e. those who have both not changed channels and are not preferred subscribers), as in step 2104. The at least one of the existing sessions which is torn down is with a set top terminal of one of those selected ones of the subscribers who fails to manually respond to the ping signal, as in step 2106.

Again, in some instances, a computerized file may be provided with a list of known addresses that should not be pinged (this file may be provided in the billing database 152 or elsewhere).

In some instances, the preferred and standard subscribers vary by program; for example, a subscriber may have paid a premium for some channels and not others and as to those premium channels, may be treated a as preferred subscriber, while as to the other channels, may be treated as standard subscriber. This variation by program can be implemented in a number of different ways; for example, program-by-program, by groups of program such as premium packages or services, and the like.

In another aspect, a switched digital video control apparatus is provided for use in a video content network offering a switched digital video service and having a service group with both preferred and standard subscribers. Non-limiting examples of such an apparatus include controller 212, DBWAD 1001 such as a session resource manager (e.g., GSRM 302), or the like. The apparatus includes a memory such as memory 1130 and at least one processor such as processor 1120, which is coupled to the memory, and operative to carry out or otherwise facilitate performance of one or more method steps.

In still another aspect, a set-top terminal (e.g., 106, 900) is provided for use in a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The terminal includes a memory such as memory 910 and at least one processor, such as processing unit 905, coupled to the memory, and operative to receive, from a head end of the video content network, a ping message to prompt a user of the terminal to respond to the message to indicate that a current program channel is being actively watched, and, responsive to receiving the ping message, automatically reply to the ping message affirmatively, without requiring any response from the user.

In yet another aspect, a system includes a video content network (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 9, and 11) offering a switched digital video service; and a service group (see, e.g., 182) coupled to the video content network and having a plurality of terminals (e.g., 106, 900). The service group services both preferred and standard subscribers. Also included is a switched digital video control apparatus, as described above, coupled to the video content network.

System and Article of Manufacture Details

The invention can employ hardware or hardware and software aspects. Software includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of an article of manufacture including a machine readable medium that contains one or more programs which when executed implement such step(s); that is to say, a computer program product including a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium (or multiple such media) with computer usable program code configured to implement the method steps indicated, when run on one or more processors. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processor that is coupled to the memory and operative to perform, or facilitate performance of, exemplary method steps.

Yet further, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of means for carrying out one or more of the method steps described herein; the means can include (i) hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s) executing on one or more hardware processors, or (iii) a combination of hardware and software modules; any of (i)-(iii) implement the specific techniques set forth herein, and the software modules are stored in a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium (or multiple such media). Appropriate interconnections via bus, network, and the like can also be included.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a system 1100 that can implement part or all of one or more aspects or processes of the present invention, processor 1120 of which is representative of processors associated with servers, clients, set top terminals, DBWAD, SRM, GSRM, controller 212, and other elements with processing capability depicted in the other figures. In one or more embodiments, inventive steps are carried out by one or more of the processors in conjunction with one or more interconnecting network(s).

As shown in FIG. 19, memory 1130 configures the processor 1120 to implement one or more aspects of the methods, steps, and functions disclosed herein (collectively, shown as process 1180 in FIG. 19). The memory 1130 could be distributed or local and the processor 1120 could be distributed or singular. The memory 1130 could be implemented as an electrical, magnetic or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices. It should be noted that if distributed processors are employed, each distributed processor that makes up processor 1120 generally contains its own addressable memory space. It should also be noted that some or all of computer system 1100 can be incorporated into an application-specific or general-use integrated circuit. For example, one or more method steps could be implemented in hardware in an ASIC rather than using firmware. Display 1140 is representative of a variety of possible input/output devices (e.g., mice, keyboards, printers, etc.).

As is known in the art, part or all of one or more aspects of the methods and apparatus discussed herein may be distributed as an article of manufacture that itself includes a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon. The computer readable program code means is operable, in conjunction with a computer system, to carry out all or some of the steps to perform the methods or create the apparatuses discussed herein. The computer readable medium may be a recordable medium (e.g., floppy disks, hard drives, compact disks, EEPROMs, or memory cards) or may be a transmission medium (e.g., a network including fiber-optics, the world-wide web, cables, or a wireless channel using time-division multiple access, code-division multiple access, or other radio-frequency channel). Any medium known or developed that can store information suitable for use with a computer system may be used. The computer-readable code means is any mechanism for allowing a computer to read instructions and data, such as magnetic variations on a magnetic medium or height variations on the surface of a compact disk. As used herein, a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium is intended to encompass a recordable medium, examples of which are set forth above, but is not intended to encompass a transmission medium or disembodied signal.

The computer systems and servers described herein each contain a memory that will configure associated processors to implement the methods, steps, and functions disclosed herein. Such methods, steps, and functions can be carried out, e.g., by processing capability on individual elements in the other figures, or by any combination thereof. The memories could be distributed or local and the processors could be distributed or singular. The memories could be implemented as an electrical, magnetic or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices. Moreover, the term “memory” should be construed broadly enough to encompass any information able to be read from or written to an address in the addressable space accessed by an associated processor. With this definition, information on a network is still within a memory because the associated processor can retrieve the information from the network.

Thus, elements of one or more embodiments of the present invention can make use of computer technology with appropriate instructions to implement method steps described herein.

As used herein, including the claims, a “server” includes a physical data processing system (for example, system 1100 as shown in FIG. 19) running a server program. It will be understood that such a physical server may or may not include a display, keyboard, or other input/output components.

Furthermore, it should be noted that any of the methods described herein can include an additional step of providing a system comprising distinct software modules embodied on one or more tangible computer readable storage media. All the modules (or any subset thereof) can be on the same medium, or each can be on a different medium, for example. The modules can include any or all of the components shown in the figures (e.g. modules/submodules for the controller, DBWAD, SRM/GSRM, set-top terminal, billing system server, to perform the method steps in FIG. 18, and so on). The method steps can then be carried out using the distinct software modules of the system, as described above, executing on the one or more hardware processors (e.g., a processor or processors in the set-top terminal and a processor or processors in the head end or other network node, such as the controller, DBWAD, SRM/GSRM, video servers, and so on). Further, a computer program product can include a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium with code adapted to be executed to carry out one or more method steps described herein, including the provision of the system with the distinct software modules. In one or more embodiments, the code is stored in a non-transitory manner.

Non-limiting examples of languages that may be used include markup languages (e.g., hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), standard generalized markup language (SGML), and the like), C/C++, assembly language, Pascal, Java, EBIF—Extended Binary Interchange Format language, UNIX shell scripts (for example, to generate information to supply to the GSRM), and the like. Note that EBIF would typically only be employed in connection with a set-top box. RTSP and/or RPC can be employed for interface protocols, for example. Furthermore, non-limiting examples of useful database software include Oracle software (registered mark of Oracle International Corporation, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood City, Calif. 94065, USA); Informix software (registered mark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA); and structured query language (SQL) software available from many sources, including Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., USA).

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that one or more embodiments of the invention can include a computer program including computer program code means adapted to perform one or all of the steps of any methods or claims set forth herein when such program is implemented on a processor, and that such program may be embodied on a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium. Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention can include a processor including code adapted to cause the processor to carry out one or more steps of methods or claims set forth herein, together with one or more apparatus elements or features as depicted and described herein.

System(s) have been described herein in a form in which various functions are performed by discrete functional blocks. However, any one or more of these functions could equally well be embodied in an arrangement in which the functions of any one or more of those blocks or indeed, all of the functions thereof, are realized, for example, by one or more appropriately programmed processors such as digital signal processors (DSPs). Thus, for example, switching unit 104 and modulator bank 106 (or any other blocks, components, sub-blocks, sub-components, modules and/or sub-modules) may be realized by one or more DSPs. A DSP typically comprises a combination of digital logic devices and other components, which may be a state machine or implemented with a dedicated microprocessor or micro-controller running a software program or having functions programmed in firmware.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of a set-top terminal for use in a video content network offering a switched digital video service, said method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a head end of said video content network, a ping message requiring a response to exclude a session of said set-top terminal from a teardown; and responding, automatically, to said ping message based on a preferred status of associated with said set-top terminal.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading a software routine onto said set top terminal during a provisioning process based on said preferred status of associated with said set-top terminal, said software routine comprising computer readable program code which causes said set top terminal to automatically respond to said ping signal.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said provisioning process comprises an initial provisioning process.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said provisioning process comprises a periodic update.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein responding, automatically, to said ping message based on a preferred status of associated with said set-top terminal comprises activating a software routine pre-existing on said set top terminal by sending a flag thereto based on said preferred status of associated with said set-top terminal, said software routine comprising computer readable program code which causes said set top terminal to automatically respond to said ping signal upon activation by said flag.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining said preferred status associated with said set-top terminal based on a program channel currently tuned to on said set-top terminal.
 7. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a subscriber of a video content network, a request to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of said video content network, said service group comprising a plurality of subscribers and having a plurality of existing sessions; responsive to said request, sending a ping signal to selected ones of said subscribers within said service group who have not changed channels for a predetermined time and who are not preferred subscribers, wherein said preferred subscribers are not sent said ping signal, requiring a manual response to said ping signal from said selected ones of said subscribers, and tearing down at least one of said existing sessions corresponding to at least one of said selected ones of said subscribers from which no manual response to said ping signal is received, wherein said existing sessions corresponding to said preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown; and establishing said new switched digital video session in accordance with said request.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining said preferred subscribers exempted from said teardown from among said subscribers; and determining said selected ones of said subscribers as subscribers associated with set top terminals inactive for at least said predetermined time and who are not preferred subscribers.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining said preferred subscribers comprises accessing a computerized list, said computerized list indicating preferred status of said preferred subscribers.
 10. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a subscriber of a video content network, a request to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of said video content network, said service group comprising a plurality of subscribers and having a plurality of existing sessions; responsive to said request, sending a ping signal to selected ones of said subscribers within said service group associated with set top terminals inactive for at least a predetermined time, receiving an automatic response to said ping signal from a first set top terminal of said selected ones of said subscribers within said service group, said first set top terminal associated with a preferred status, requiring a manual response to said ping signal from a second set top terminal of said selected ones of said subscribers within said service group, said second set top terminal associated with a standard subscriber, and tearing down at least one of said existing sessions associated with a third set top terminal of said selected ones of said subscribers within said service group from which no response to said ping signal is received; and establishing said new switched digital video session in accordance with said request.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving said automatic response comprises causing said first set top terminal associated with said preferred status to automatically respond to said ping signal according to a software routine loaded onto said first set top terminal during a provisioning process, said software routine comprising computer readable program code which causes said first set top terminal to automatically respond to said ping signal.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said provisioning process comprises an initial provisioning process.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said provisioning process comprises a periodic update.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving said automatic response comprises causing said first set top terminal associated with said preferred status to automatically respond to said ping signal according to a software routine pre-existing on said first set top terminal by sending a flag thereto, said software routine comprising computer readable program code which causes said first set top terminal to automatically respond to said ping signal upon activation by said flag.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining said preferred status associated with said first set-top terminal based on a program channel currently tuned to on said first set-top terminal. 